When I first started cooking with my CC PG24DLX, I was very unsettled by the wild temperature swings on the built-in digital readout (ranging up to 90°F!). Using a third-party probe set, though, I'm reading much more consistent temps at grate-level (about a ~25°F range). Critically, they are also a bit lower than whatever the knob is set at, so I've adjusted for that. I guess locating the built-in air probe out of the way was more important than placement for accuracy.
Product mentions: I got a ThermoWorks Smoke on (rare) discount/sale but there's also FireBoard if you want to go all-out, I suppose. Side note, the smoke looks like it varies quite a bit (back and forth between big, puffy white and almost non-existent, throughout a long 235-250 cook) but the final product thus far has been delicious, so it's hard to argue with that; smoke flavor is clearly there but not overwhelming at all. At some point, I do plan on also getting an AMazeN for cold- and/or heavier-smoking.
Old advice that bears repeating - especially if you're still a novice - accuracy and reliability in tracking your temps is key to getting good, consistent results!
Product mentions: I got a ThermoWorks Smoke on (rare) discount/sale but there's also FireBoard if you want to go all-out, I suppose. Side note, the smoke looks like it varies quite a bit (back and forth between big, puffy white and almost non-existent, throughout a long 235-250 cook) but the final product thus far has been delicious, so it's hard to argue with that; smoke flavor is clearly there but not overwhelming at all. At some point, I do plan on also getting an AMazeN for cold- and/or heavier-smoking.
Old advice that bears repeating - especially if you're still a novice - accuracy and reliability in tracking your temps is key to getting good, consistent results!
